If you enjoy helping others look and feel their best, and are interested in operating your own business someday, a career in aesthetics could be the perfect fit. Even better, if you live in the East Valley, you could train tuition-free at EVIT and graduate from high school licensed and ready to work.

That’s what alum Taliyah Mejia did in 2020. Today at age 20, she is operating Gemini Aesthetics in Mesa.

“What really drove me to apply was that I would be a fully licensed aesthetician right out of high school, ready to start my career,” Mejia said. “The part I love most about my work is making individuals feel beautiful and gain more self-confidence. Being able to create my own schedule … is always a great part of what I do as well.”

Nearly 300 students – about 80% of them high school students – are enrolled this semester in the Aesthetics program at the East Valley Institute of Technology, a public trade school with two central campuses in Mesa.

EVIT operates two high school Aesthetics programs – one at the Main Campus, 1601 W. Main Street, and one at the Power Campus, 6625 S. Power Road – and also an adults-only program at Main. EVIT also is adding a new section of high school Aesthetics that will start on Jan. 3 and end in December 2024. The program will have limited seating, so students should sign up soon. To start the enrollment process, go to www.evit.com/enrollnow.

EVIT Cosmetic Arts Supervisor Lisa French noticed during the COVID pandemic that there was a growing interest and focus on self-care and wellness. “Being in this industry, we can contribute to more self-care,” she said. “But also, lash extensions and permanent makeup have become very popular, and having an aesthetics background is beneficial for these services.”

The Aesthetics program includes facials, skin analysis, dermaplaning, peels, waxing, general knowledge of the spa industry and much more. The program prepares students to test for their state aesthetics license. Learn more: www.evit.com/aesthetics. 

Before French became Cosmetic Arts Supervisor at EVIT, she was operating a studio salon in Prescott where she specialized in permanent makeup, eyelash extensions and various facial procedures. “On a fully booked 8-hour day, I grossed $800 to $1,000,” she said. “Because your clients, especially eyelash clients, return for maintenance more frequently every two to three weeks, you do not have to build a large client base to maintain your income.”

Mejia appreciates the flexibility of being able to set her own hours at her salon, Gemini Aesthetics. “I have a lot of free time, which lets me work crazy hours or even go in on my days off, and I do that because I simply love doing lashes,” she said.

She acknowledges being a business owner is not always easy. “Having your business and it being fully run by one individual has its moments where you rethink everything … It requires full attention all the time,” she said. “Being the service provider, you deal with clients during the day and look at your numbers at night, although I will say I couldn’t imagine a different career path for me. It is definitely all worth it.”

Mejia and French give another more personal benefit to becoming a licensed aesthetician: Helping others find the beauty in themselves. “The relationship you build with your clients because you see them so often, is priceless,” French said.

Approximately 91% of EVIT’s adult and high school students are in jobs related to their training, college or the military within a year of completing their program. For more information, visit: www.evit.com.

Get started on a career while in high school:

• EVIT high school programs are half-day for juniors and seniors. Students should plan ahead and take required classes for graduation early in order to have room in their schedules for EVIT.
• Check out options at www.evit.com/programs.
• Request more information at www.evit.com/requestinfo.
• Contact an EVIT recruiter – Chastain Duarte at (480) 461-4029 or [email protected], Jen Young at (480) 461-4023 or [email protected], Mark McCann at (480) 461-4168 or [email protected].
• Enroll at www.evit.com/enrollnow. High school registration opens on Nov. 1 for the 2024-25 school year. Adult applications are accepted throughout the year as programs are offered.

How to enroll in high school programs at EVIT:

• Parents/legal guardians of new students will need an active email account to access and use the online registration system. Please do not use your student’s home high school email account.
• Access and submit applications online at www.evit.com/enrollnow.
• Upload attendance record, discipline record, current unofficial transcripts and proof of immunizations.
• Admissions office will inform students via email once application is approved or if additional information is needed.
• EVIT is available to all high school students – public, charter, private or home-schooled – who reside in one of 11 East Valley school districts: Apache Junction, Cave Creek, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Higley, J.O. Combs, Mesa, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Tempe.
• More information: Call (480) 461-4108.

How to enroll in adult programs at EVIT:

• Access and submit online application form at www.evit.com/enrollnow.
• Required documents to upload with application: standard identification card, proof of graduation (high school diploma, GED or transcripts with projected graduation date), social security card, immunization card, and students over 21 years of age need a fingerprint clearance card.A
• Schedule appointment to meet with an advisor by calling (480) 461-4110.
• Tuition rates vary by program. Apply for financial aid by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov and using school code 035723.
• Send questions about financial aid to [email protected].
• More information: Call (480) 461-4110.